Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World

The second stop of the international tour is the Chicago Botanic Garden's Joutras Gallery. The forty-four botanical illustrations were curated by jurors from the Smithsonian and the Center for Plant Conservation. The exhibit is sponsored by the American Society of Botanical Artists and will travel next to the New York Botanic Garden, then the Smithsonian's American Museum of Natural History, then an international venue still being confirmed.

My son Ian drove us down to the grand opening last October at the Missouri Botanic Garden. I hadn't been there since before he was born and I remember it feeling much larger than the 70-something acres it comprises. The Japanese Garden, with its Godzilla-sized koi, is much the same, even lovelier. And stunning Dale Chihuly glassworks were everywhere!

I'm still pinching myself that I was accepted into this amazing exhibit. There is even a full-color catalogue of the work available through the ASBA! I was back at the CBG last weekend just drinking in the talent and dedication and visionary appeal of the exhibit's fine artworks in all media.